One of the biggest things at Microsoft’s E3 press event has been Kinect. Multiple features of the device have been announced and demoed.
The first thing that was used to show off Kinect was how its interface. With gesture controls and voice commands the hub was navigated. The Zune features of the Xbox 360 where then used to show how Kinect allows you to navigate through a video.
“You can jump to your favorite part of a movie”
It isn’t clear if this feature is only compatible with Zune videos.
After the interface was described Kinect was used to announce the ESPN Sports partnership with Microsoft.
The games of Kinect were then demoed.
The kart racer, Kinect Joy Ride, was played while emphasis was put on just how fun the game was.
“Kinect Joy Ride combines the fun of high speed racing and the fun of hands free gaming”.
Kinect Joy Ride was then described to feature multiple modes. A trick mode was displayed.
Then Kinect Adventures was demoed in order to show off some features of the game.
“Kinect adventures is designed to get you off the couch, using your entire body to play”.
One such feature is the games ability to snap photos of players while they play and then present them at the end of a game.
Next, YourShape: Fitness Evolve is demoed. The game was designed with the help of professional fitness trainers. It was designed “to Fit you”. Be that as it may, the game proves that the one thing less entertaining than working out is watching somebody else do it.
The game allows you to get the most out of any work out by offering custom work outs and different fitness modes. Each of these modes was demoed briefly.
“Fun innovative game activities” are a part of the game allowing “everybody to meat their fitness objectives with out realizing that they are working.”
For such games “Our body centric design puts objects perfectly with in reach. And they can even follow you.”
Kinect’s dancing game, Dance Central , was then demoed featuring some rather ‘hip’ music. Obviously aimed at the kids (it is very hard to see granny popping and locking to this) the game will be out “this Holiday” and “features an incredible soundtrack.”
“The game features authentic and compelling choreography.”
While it is not easy to see the more ‘hard core’ gamers (nerds and geeks) throwing down on the dance floor in front of their TVs, it was said that “Dance Central is designed for any body to play,” and has “choreography that any body can master.”
That surly did not stop the Microsoft and Harmonix executives from looking like complete tools while playing the game.
After this less than exciting game was demoed a very exciting announcment was made. There will be an exclusive Lucas Art deal to produce a Kinect StarWars game for the Xbox 360 that will be out next year.
Kinect then received a release date of November 4th and was said to be releasing with “15 launch titles.”
After this Forza 3 was showed using Kinect which allows you to… walk around and look at your car… fun?
“At a car show you can’t touch the cars, you certainly can’t sit in them. With Kinect you can.”
“With Kinect for the Xbox 360 we are re-imagining the way you interact with cars.”
Woo, you can virtually touch them. Way to reinvent the industry… douche.
Well, that ends the Kinect demonstration. For possible hands on (or hands off) coverage of the device as the expo progresses keep checking Kombo.com.
